Chapter 263
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Sebastian shot Oliver a look, and Oliver took the envelope from Michael and placed it in Rebecca’s hand.
Feeling the weight of the envelope in her hand, Rebecca couldn’t help but think her uncle Michael was definitely not easy to deal with.
“Over there are your Aunt Patricia and Aunt Mary,” Sebastian said, pointing them out for Rebecca.
Rebecca glanced over.
Both Patricia and Mary were the picture of poise and elegance, looking truly gracious and refined.
“Nice to meet you, Aunt Patricia, Aunt Mary,” Rebecca called out, just like she was supposed to.
“You’ve probably met the rest already–Jack, Liam, and Max,” Sebastian introduced each of them without any hint of perfunctory attitude. “You’re all the same age, so feel free to spend more time together.”
Rebecca couldn’t help but focus on Liam–the only one she hadn’t met before.
He was dressed in a sharp black suit, and unlike Max, his expression wasn’t cold or standoffish. He seemed much more easygoing.
According to Jack, Michael, Max, and Liam plotted together to set Rebecca’s mom up back then.
So far, Max hadn’t realized Philip was involved. Aside from trying to persuade Rebecca to give up her shares, Rebecca thought he was pretty much flawless–whether it came to treating her or her mom.
Liam flashed a friendly greeting. “Hey there, little sis.”
Rebecca responded, keeping it formal and distant. “Hello, Liam.” She didn’t let her guard down at all.
“If you ever need anything, just hit me up,” Liam said warmly, his eyes only showing brotherly concern. “I might not be as sharp as Max, but I can still hold my own.”
While Liam was talking, he threw a quick look over at Jack.
He couldn’t help shooting a glance at Jack as he spoke.
Jack and Rebecca were already buddies, so he ditched any formality. “Cousin Rebecca!”
Rebecca glanced over at him.
“I’m honestly pretty useless,” Jack said with a playful grin. “Guess I’ll be relying on you to look after me from
now on.”
Everyone else just stared at him, totally speechless.
Sebastian was stumped as well.
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Chapter 263
Sebastian couldn’t help but scold him. “Can’t you be a little more ambitious?”
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“You know how it is, Grandpa,” Jack replied, his tone as laid–back as ever. “If everyone turned out perfect, who would you use as a bad example for the rest of them?”
Sebastian shot him a look, clearly exasperated.
After Jack’s little act, things felt a lot more relaxed around the dinner table. People were laughing and eating together, not a shred of drama or backstabbing in sight. For a moment, it even looked like everyone was genuinely glad Rebecca had come.
‘No way this is real,‘ Rebecca thought to herself. “They’re all just putting on a show!
Both Michael and Peter, though–those two uncles made it obvious they didn’t want her here at all.
An hour later.
Dinner was finally over.
Sebastian glanced around at the crowd and declared, “Since we’re all here, there’s something important I need to announce.”
Everyone’s attention was immediately fixed on him. After a month for things to settle, most people could pretty much guess what was coming.
“According to the agreement made over twenty years ago, Amelia’s child has the right to buy back the shares sold back then–at the original price,” Sebastian stated, a serious look clouding his face. “That means fifteen percent from Michael’s estate, and five percent from Peter’s.”
Michael and Peter exchanged a quick glance.
Given everything that had gone down before, Peter made sure to take a stand first. “I don’t mind. Whenever Michael is ready to hand his shares over, I’ll follow suit.”
A shadow flickered in Michael’s eyes, but it was gone in an instant.
“Dad, isn’t this rule a bit much?” Aunt Patricia finally spoke up, her gaze toward Rebecca unmistakably distant. “Michael spent over twenty years building up this company, and now we’re supposed to just hand it over to a girl who’s barely set foot in the family? That can’t be fair, no matter how you look at it.”
The air around Sebastian turned heavy in an instant; his expression grew stern and the whole room went quiet.
‘Does Michael really think I can’t see through this little stunt?‘ Sebastian sneered inwardly.
“And why isn’t it fair?” Rebecca retorted, her eyes locking onto Aunt Patricia.
“Your uncle’s been the one pouring his sweat into this company all these years. Stephen only got the reins a couple of years ago,” Patricia fired back. “You just walk in and expect to cash in without lifting a finger? That’s straight up freeloading.”
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“Seriously, who gets to buy back something they sold twenty years ago for the same price? Have you ever heard of that happening?”
“If you want those shares, sure–buy them at market value. That’s what everyone else has to do.”
Sebastian’s face darkened instantly, his anger just about ready to boil over.
Rebecca shot a pointed look at Michael and Peter, her tone sharp. “Is that how you two see it, too?”
Her mom’s shares had ended up with these two uncles. Rebecca couldn’t wait to see how they’d try to justify themselves.
Peter stayed silent, not saying a word.
Truth was, Michael stood to benefit way more than Peter in all this, so if anyone was going to make noise about it, it sure wouldn’t be Peter.
“No way,” Michael said smoothly, all smiles. “We stick to whatever’s written in the agreement. Just tell me when it’s convenient for you, and I’ll personally help you with the share transfer.”
Peter was just like: “???”
Peter finally lost it. “Michael, can you drop the act already?”
Michael just played innocent. “What’s that supposed to mean, Peter?”
“Between the two of us, you’re the last one willing to give those shares back,” Peter fired back, calling him out right away. “Didn’t you try every trick in the book before just to stop this from happening?”
Michael’s expression instantly turned cold. “Don’t go tossing out accusations unless you’ve got hard proof.”
Peter tried to say something, but couldn’t get a single word out–he just stood there, totally stumped.
He knew for damn sure Michael was behind what happened to Amelia, but it’s one thing to know and a whole other thing to actually prove it.
“Whenever you’re free, Rebecca, just let me know and we’ll deal with the shares,” Michael said, still wearing that oh–so–friendly smile that wouldn’t fool anyone who knew better.
“Dad,” Liam chimed in, keeping his cool. “Shares can’t just be handed over whenever someone asks for them- it’s not that straightforward.”
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